ModularGrid uses so-called cookies to ensure it's so-called functionality. We also use dubious tracking scripts. Find out more in the Privacy Policy. We use cookies and wanna let you know.
The first thing I would do is double-check that all power connections in the system are attached securely (no loose connections between each module and its power cable, each power cable's connection to the power supply ribbons, the ribbon cables' connections to the power supply, and the external power connection to the power supply) and oriented the correct way at those connections (if the ribbons don't have shrouded headers, then make sure that the red stripe is on the same side as -12V).
The second thing I would check is the power specs of the specific power supply you have (mA available on each of the +12, -12, and +5V rails) and compare that to the total load that all of the modules you have connected to it in your case. The load of all of your modules together needs to be below what your power supply can provide with some extra headroom. The amounts I hear people mention most often for this excess headroom is 20 - 30% of your power supply's maximum output. For example, if your power supply can provide a maximum of 1000 mA on each of the three power rails (1000mA @ +12V/1000 mA @ -12V/1000mA @ +5V) then you should only connect modules that need 700 - 800 mA total on each of those rails. To my understanding, this is because many modules draw more mA when first powered on than what they need to function after being powered on (which is likely what the specs provided for most modules are). Also, if your power supply relies on using an external power brick, make sure it has the appropriate wattage/voltage/amperage specs for the power supply. If the power supply accepts a range of voltages, you can try a power brick with a lower voltage within that range to get a higher amperage output (but the wattage must remain the same) Amps x Volts = Watts. It can also be useful to know if the power supply you are using splits up its power output in any way. For example, if there are two headers for ribbon cables on your supply, it is possible that the power supply's total output is divided between those two headers, so you may need to redistribute which modules are connected to each of the ribbons for a more even distribution of power draw. All of these specs should be available in the manual for your power supply.
Great fx unit. Only downside is not being able to tell what fx algorithms are in the firmware because of no display. If you don't memorize it you have to use a saved algorithm list to see the fx parameters.
-- VerifiedPersonae
or you could get a pro to put beside it and have the 1st 32 algos identical to those on the xl
or just use your ears!!!
"some of the best base-level info to remember can be found in Jim's sigfile" @Lugia
Utility modules are the dull polish that makes the shiny modules actually shine!!!
bigger case - you'll want to expand almost immediately as this is already nearly full and is very very limiting and in a lot of cases overly cramped
whilst I don't normally like the words redundancy or overlap in relation to modular synthesis - because in (even slightly) larger systems it is to be encouraged to a great extent - I would dump either steppy or numeric repetitor - pams and one of these will be more than enough
get the quadrattor instead of the duatt - or add some vcas in the 1u row
consider bigger fx unit - fx aid xl - or preferably pro - instead of the pico - ergonomics are important - 3hp is very small and fiddly
same for a mixer - ergonomics are important - 3hp is very small and fiddly
add another filter - or an lpg that can be used as a filter or an lpg
"some of the best base-level info to remember can be found in Jim's sigfile" @Lugia
Utility modules are the dull polish that makes the shiny modules actually shine!!!
Each voice you have has its own envelope, so imo I don't think you need an LPG, unless you want to use it to deal with some noise source you have.
Maybe a quantized CV source. Maybe you could change your sequencer to Euclidean circles for example, or Maleko Varigate 4+.
Imo you have a lot of gate sources to feed two voices.
But hey, I'm a beginner, there are people here with much more experience who will surely be able to help you better than me.
Just putting together a hypothetical performance oriented case. I have one 6 hp slot left, not sure what to add there. Was thinking octave switcher but Steppy already has 4 channels so it might be redundant. I’m also considering a logic/bernouli gate or a lpg?
Just make sure it's type A and I'm onboard. Being able to take advantage of the full polyphony is important.
-- ParanormalPatroler
I just received a v3 module and it does have TRS midi included via the trigger input. The cable is also included. I haven’t had time to try midi yet but everything about the module is quality so far: beautiful screen, menu system is easy to interpret, the sound is impressive, build quality is decent.
There is no manual though - anyone from Ziqal planning on this? Also almost no videos. This is my first WT module and it’s pretty intuitive so I think I’m getting it already. But I would appreciate a manual, even a short one that briefly explains each function.
I’ll start a discussion thread on MW and add a few videos when I have time.
Great fx unit. Only downside is not being able to tell what fx algorithms are in the firmware because of no display. If you don't memorize it you have to use a saved algorithm list to see the fx parameters.
He fellow users,
I just got the io instruments Kalyke and wanted to put it in my rack, I have the tip-top audio power supply with two ribbon cables. But when I plug in the Kalyke all the other modules don't get any power, except for the Kalyke and the other way around. So what's the problem here? I am quite new in to eurorack, so maybe this seems like a really dumb question, but I would cheer for an answer /solving
Nice rack! There's a lot going on there. As you already thought about, you're probably going to want some VCOs as sources. You've got plenty of modulation in there. You can patch everything all over the place in circular routes, but at the end of the chain, you're only really changing whatever initial wave you start with, but you have to have it to start! The Piston Honda is a wavetable, which sounds great, but really isn't the same as an analog, or even a digital, VCO. With VCOs, you can patch back practically any single output into another VCO and FM the bajeezus out of it, run it through a filter or two and get the same result as a wall of filters, or even a wavetable module (almost). The point is that one doesn't need to have loads of modules to make good tracks. You just need the right modules for your music.
I use mostly analog VCOs, such as the Castor & Pollux, four Electrosmith 3340s, and a few of Doepfer's VCOs I've bought for my racks and tracks. Pick any of those and patch them back into themselves for some great sounding FM. If I need it to be more harsh, the Doepfer Wasp is an excellent filtering tool. I have two of them and they make it into a track whenever I need to brighten the sound up. Intellijel's Polaris is another excellent and versatile filter.
Envelopes and amps are your friends. The Zadar is great. I use the MI Blinds which I really like b/c its also a polarizer. I've never worked with the Quadigy so I can't comment. I will say that no two EGs are quite the same and you definitely want range and sensitivity when it comes to an EG. Doepfer's EGs aren't sensitive enough for me. Having good EGs is critically important.
You can never have too many VCAs. The MI Veils are fine, but I think there are better ones available. The Xaoc Tallin is one of my favs. Lots of gain that can be pushed to clip in a nice toasty and pleasing way. I have two and they get used a lot. I wish they were less wide. VCAs can be used everywhere for many different applications. I always find I'm short a VCA when things start getting super involved!
Lastly, I will say that simper is better, especially when (if) you're performing. You're probably never going to use every module every patch and after buying tens of thousands of dollars worth of modules, I find that I use only a handful on any track. There are some that are always used and some that I really should sell because they rarely if ever get used. Anyway, nice work. Get some VCOs is my only advice.
"I'll just plug this in here and see what happens."
700 State mk 2 Filter kit from Frequency Central
A filter reminiscent of a Roland filter from Frequency Central.
Very straightforward build. Great sounding unit.
Recommended Build
If you get an external input module with an envelope follower like the Doepfer A-119, you can use that to modulate effects. That module also has a compartor which produces a gate, which can also trigger events related to whatever sound is coming in. I'd look to adding more things that can convert audio to CV in a rack like this - utilities all the way!
-- Manbearpignick
Thanks for the feedback! That definitely sounds like a fun thing to be able to do. Is there functionality there that I won't be able to get by sending an external signal from the Bubblesound booster to Maths and using that as an envelope follower?
I guess what I'm wrestling with most is if a lot of what Maths is able to do won't be super useful in this type of setup, and I'd be better served by replacing it with smaller modules that are more applicable to an effects specific rack like an envelope follower and maybe a dreadbox utopia or kinks? Maths may be perfect for this use and that would be ok too, since I already have it! If Maths is good for this setup, would you say the Noise Engineering LFO module is overkill for such a small rack?
maybe consider using Beads instead of Clouds...or some other smaller clone of Clouds to conserve HP? that would get you 4HP and you could add something like Disting MK4. Monsoon is a clone that is only 12HP which buys you 6HP and you could add MK4 and something like 2HP Euclid to generate clocked patterns.
-- jb61264
Thanks to you as well for chiming in! Perhaps I would've been better off going with Beads or a Monsoon. I've had my eye on a disting, but have been a little overwhelmed by it. I'll have to do some more research. The Euclid looks really cool too, though I'm still trying to understand how I might get the most use out of it. Would the output of that be used to modulate CV input on something like the Data Bender or Clouds? Sorry if that's way off and doesn't make any sense! I still have quite a bit to figure out
maybe consider using Beads instead of Clouds...or some other smaller clone of Clouds to conserve HP? that would get you 4HP and you could add something like Disting MK4. Monsoon is a clone that is only 12HP which buys you 6HP and you could add MK4 and something like 2HP Euclid to generate clocked patterns.
If you get an external input module with an envelope follower like the Doepfer A-119, you can use that to modulate effects. That module also has a compartor which produces a gate, which can also trigger events related to whatever sound is coming in. I'd look to adding more things that can convert audio to CV in a rack like this - utilities all the way!
Hey all, I'm new to this and assembling an 84hp rack for fx processing of an OP1, tape loops, field recording type things. This particular rack is heavily influenced by the unperson on youtube, so there's quite a bit of overlap there.
I'm hoping to use the Bubblesound booster to bring all of these external elements up to modular level then route through the various effects, into the mixer, then out through the FX aid as a final mix effect.
The hardest thing to wrap my head around so far has been the utilities and modulation sources needed for a rack that doesn't have a sound source. I have the Maths there, but it's pretty big for only 84hp and wondering if the Pons Asinorum paired with a Kinks or something like that would give me more than enough modulation for this use. I'm also unsure how essential VCAs are without oscillators and that kind of thing. Maybe very?
Curious also about how useful some kind of clocking will be if I won't be able to link the sound sources anyway. I don't intend on being very rhythmic, mostly layered ambient sounds. Would it make sense to use the OP1 as a master clock then maybe a small clock divider to send sync up some of the fx?
Any super useful modules/utilities for this use that I don't have here? Anything seem way unnecessary? Right now the only filter is in the Data Bender or FX aid, so if possible, I'd like to squeeze something in. Any feedback is very much appreciated!
Definitely get more modulation sources. I run out of mine fast and had to add a lot. Maestro, Quadrax, Marbles, Maths and Batumi work great in these areas for example.
That's fantastic! I popped on my good headphones and listened to the entire album. Bought a copy too. :-) I think One is my favorite, but I'm looking forward to listening again to the whole thing.
Didn't realize you are in Hungary. Hoping to go back in the spring to visit. I have family there, in Eger.
I jut have receive a MIXmix of Feedback, and as for my beloved MIX BX and Squeeze, it's super neat, fully featured, robust and it sounds super clean, the phone out is a nice feature as well as both the symetric and assymetric outputs. A nice end to a rack before to enter the overall mixer or any audio interface. Hat-off Feedback Module (not to mention how kind the man behind it is).
Since you're already using VCV, why not get an Expert Sleepers ES9 so you can compliment the growing rack with whatever you need ...
-- Manbearpignick
I was balking at the price of the ES9 but it almost seems like a no brainer at this point. Especially as I want to build up my rack slowly. At first I wasn't considering even hooking my rack up to the computer.
I'll also look into the Noise Reap. Does anyone have thoughts on the Intellijel Dixie 2? Seems to pack a lot of punch for its size. Thanks!
Since you're already using VCV, why not get an Expert Sleepers ES9 so you can compliment the growing rack with whatever you need - I still rely on VCV for the end mixer and a lot of end of chain effects, not to mention modulation CV sources from VCV back into my physical rack. I also use VCV scopes for visualizing modulation - somethimes with a bank of 8 or more on bigger generative patches, endlessly fascinating... I'm not interested in performance so incorporating VCV with my desk-bound system is a no-brainer for me.
Other thing to consider - are you planning on taking your kids on the modular journey? If so maybe some bigger modules is a good idea, for ergonomics and clear workflow etc (I guess I'm referring to the drum modules, the other modules look great for learning)
Finally, consider a Noise Reap for your second VCO. You get two oscillators and normalized freq control between them. It's analog and can get really dirty so could compliment the digital Plaits.
A stereo filter or two separate filters would be better as you have two possible sound sources without filters (Plaits and Disting Mk4), but 84 hp is small so I'd suggest to keep it like this to begin with.
Still trying to figure out where to get a kick from (I have a disting Mk4 in my other rack that I might use for samples here)?
-- theundeadwarrior
Maybe take a look at Erica Synths Pico Drums, it's small but you can load your own samples on it with a separate programmer chip. I wouldn't recommend to go for a module that does only one sound, like the befaco kickall or one of the tiptop drum modules, because of the relative small size of this system.
Is Pam + mini grid too much for sequencing such a small rack? My idea was to combine gate triggers from both with an OR module to create interesting drum patterns.
-- theundeadwarrior
I think grids work best as a full-size module, the small knobs on the one you have will make it less fun to play with (at least in my opinion).
Grids is a great module but I think in such a small rack you'd have more fun with a more versatile module such as the micro Ornament & Crime. You can easily load the alternative firmware on it, giving you two separate "apps" on each side on the module. This could replace your logic module as well and there are alternative versions that have two of the three grids channels (https://github.com/benirose/O_C-BenisphereSuite).
Overall opinion on this rack: 84HP is quite small to have both you drum, multiple sound sources and keep it playable as well. You mention you already have a few modules, which have quite some HP altogether. These modules can almost be a rack on their own (although mini grids is a bit of an odd one in this but you can use it with melodic stuff as well, to trigger the Percall for example).
If you want to add drums you are going to compensate those modules in size, functionality and playability. Like I mentioned earlier, you can add something like a Pico Drums to the rack, but keep in mind that this won't have as much experimentation opportunities as the other modules you have.
If you are willing to keep some modules that you already have gathered out of this rack (for now), you could add some more drum-related modules into it, but of course the tradeoff would be less modulation for the melody part.
Another option would be to have a small drum synth/groovebox outside of you rack and use a CV/Gate to MIDI module to sequence it.
I hadn’t been planning this but at one point I knew it had to happen.
You will find more info and the bandcamp link in the description of this short teaser video.
Thank you for watching & listening.
I am inspired by birth, death and the events inbetween.
I'm trying to build a small rack for drums/techno to have fun with. I mostly DIY and already have a few modules (mini-grids, plaits Percall, Veils, MS-22, mk4) and would be more willing to build modules than buy new ones.
I'm also not constrained to 84hp (I probably have over 160hp+ of railing left) but would rather stick to a smaller footprint so I can move my rack around easily (around 100-120 max ideally).
A few questions I have:
- Is 1 filter enough?
- Still trying to figure out where to get a kick from (I have a disting Mk4 in my other rack that I might use for samples here)?
- Is Pam + mini grid too much for sequencing such a small rack? My idea was to combine gate triggers from both with an OR module to create interesting drum patterns.
Feedback on the whole thing is appreciated :)
Thank you!
Firs off...I am not a musician but both of my young sons are taking piano and drums. I love music of course and just recently started getting into basic music theory (western scales), partly to help my sons. Modular synth has always fascinated me. I am a programmer and enjoy exploring complicated systems. What's more fun than sonic Lego! I've been messing around with VCV Rack and learning the basics but one of the things that drew me to modular is its "tactileness", something VCV Rack cannot emulate.
So, I've been doing a bit of research and trying to figure out what I might like in a system. This is challenging because I am still learning. I want to slowly buy modules and learn them. I am having trouble narrowing down what I need. In VCV Rack if I need something, I just add it. I really like the big 80s synth sound and I'd love to dip my toe into some generative stuff. The rack you see below is kind of just a bag of modules I am interested in more than a complete system.
These questions are on my mind:
VCO
I'd like 3 or 4 VCOs. I do own a plaits already but need some other recommendations.
Sequencers
Bloom looks like it would be quite powerful for generating melodies. I've been having fun with the Muxlicer in VCV rack. I tossed the Janolouge Step 8 on there because it intrigued me and I've been playing with Shift registers a bit and this things looks insane! So now I am wondering how the Step 8 and Bloom could work together. I don't think I need all of these in this rack though.
Modulation
Obviously the Maths is in there but do I need more LFOs. The Data does have 2 LFOs if I need more in a pinch I guess.
Filter
It seems like I need at least one more filter to cover 3 or 4 VCOs. Are there good dual filters that are kind of compact?
Randomness
Tossed a A-118-2 because its small. A Marbles would be cool but its pretty big. What else am I overlooking?
Drums
Trying to save some space I stuffed the 2HP drum modules in there.
Other
What else am I missing for a well rounded system? More effects, more randomness? The Data takes up some space but the scope in VCV rack has been invaluable to my understanding modular (It also looks amazing).
I know you guys probably get these sorts of posts a lot so any advice is greatly appreciated. I wish I could articulate more precisely what I want my system to do but I am still learning what I enjoy as do research and explore VCV Rack. Thanks!
Good call on the larger MDLR 14 case, I have one and it is fantastic! I recommend more modulation sources. Perhaps Acid Rain Technology Maestro that gives you six channels of modulation with many options to shape LFOs and so forth.
-- benscott
Yes, that case looks really solid!
hmm, thanks for the suggestion. I missed that module somehow. Cheers!
Good call on the larger MDLR 14 case, I have one and it is fantastic! I recommend more modulation sources. Perhaps Acid Rain Technology Maestro that gives you six channels of modulation with many options to shape LFOs and so forth.
@Toccata
Thanks. Actually you are right about FXs. I will think more about it. Just had the fear to miss something so that why I was kinda compromising. Will do more research about it! Thank you!
SSF Triptych looks solid. Need to check how it sounds from the studio. Thanks!
I have nothing to add to your rack but I will say the benefit to FX modules is having the ability to manipulate the parameters in realtime. Distortion, Bitcrushing, Phase and Pitch Shifting, Ring Modulation, Reverb, Delay, Comb Filtering, etc, etc. all become way more expressive when they are under your control with modulation. So a snare with say, a pulsating gated reverb tail or delay combined with some modulating bitcrushing and frequency shifting is gonna sound incredibly complex and wont mentally tax you, that is, you can quickly patch simple sources into dramatic and uniquely multi-layered creations with little effort—so you can focus more of your time on the actual quality of your ideas and not problem solving. I think with pedals you're limited by how many hands you can get on the knobs or you might just step on a phaser and be done with it. You know? Music is all about movement, or more specifically, the energy in the moving. #1 goal in modular building, like instrument playing, is finding the best way to maximize energy, control it, and do it efficiently.
Steady State Fate Triptych is worth checking out for distortion manipulation (and gives you another filter and flanging-comb fx): Steady State Fate Triptych Promo Video
Hi to all the users who comes to see into this. I hope you all are doing well as its possible this crazy days!
I was dreaming about my first Eurorack for years now and finally, I have a chance to actually build it.
I know that it's better to start with the smaller system to understand and learn everything but I'm just not that type of person. Im diving into with all in (as I do always). Also, tbh I've started with 3U but after months of research - I came up with 14U 126HP. This is just how it is and nothing could be changed in that way as I've already bought this case from MDLRCASE: Click
So down to the case, my questions and something what I see in my every dream lately. I'm sorry if I will ask too many questions but that's the only way I can get the proper help/opinion from someone who has the experience here.
1. The idea:
I mostly produce IDM-ish stuff. Inspired by music from: Mike Parker, Squarepusher, Frank Bretschneider, Komet, Phoenecia, Pan sonic and so on and so on. The rack's idea firstly was to make Drum oriented rack but as you can see - it went further than that. But the idea did not disappear anywhere so its still important to have good drums here. I've researched a lot and came up with that modules drum-wise you can see here. In my opinion - I have all the tools here to produce strong sound designed drum elements. LMK if I'm wrong.
Drums: I have drum sequencer from Erica and LXR from them. I have 2 kick modules - Modbase and Kickall. I have BIA. Noise plethora for some perc/noisy sounds. Quark for some percussions. Plonk. Fracture by WMD. Quark's percussions from End Times Modular. Fracture from WMD. LO-FIVE from End Times Modular. SY0.5 'Synths': Piston Honda MKIII which I've already purchased. Shapeshifter. Generate 3. Sequencing: Main sequencer for drums here should be Drum Sequencer from Erica.
I have octatrack mk2 and cv.ocd midi to cv converter. Also, I've finally got the chance to buy Cirklon 2 so its on its way with CVIO.
Anyways I've added the relatively small sequencer from Copper Traces to be able to easy sequence inside the rack.
So as I can see from here - there should be no probs with sequencing with all the tools I have on my hands. lmk if I'm wrong. LFO's: I have Malekko's Quad LFO and thats only dedicated lfo I've added so far. There are some possibilities with Pam, Disting EX, Maths, ornament & crime. Do you think I need more? Do you recommend that quad lfo? Envelopes: I've added Quadigy from Klavis; Quad Envelope from Malekko; Zadar; Percall for quad decay. and thats it. + ornament & crime; Disting; Pam; Do you think I need more of them? Is quadigy good choice? what about that one from Malekko? VCAs: Ok. I have 3 Veils here. I've already bought 1. I also have that Quadratt 1U. Do you think I need more VCAs? Gates: I have added that TRAM8 from LPZW which should work fine with My Octatrack. + CV.OCD Midi to CV has 12 gate outputs. Do you think I need more? Quantizing: I have that quantizer from Mosaic. Some possibilities with ornament and crime. But I'm thinking about adding Intellijel Scales or something like that. Just another quantizer. What do you think? FXs: I use bunch of pedals so I wanted to compromise here and go without fxs at all. Anyways, if you have another idea - lmk please. Mixer: This is where I feel the weakest :D Just cant decide how many channels do I need and what to choose. What you can see here: 6 channels on LIFEFORMS and 6 channels on Panmix. I thought to route master channel from LIFEFORMS to PANMIX. So there will be 6 channels from LIFEFORMS and +5 from Panmix. The master output from PanMix should go to Output module which you can see there from Befaco. Is it a solution? Are these channels enough? Are these mixers good enough? Do you have better solution in my case? Filters: 3 dedicated filters. One from Telemark which I just love because of some experience with Telemark synth; One that complex Rossum filter and one Wasp. You think I have enough of them? Do you have any other ideas? Mults: I have one Passive mult from Mosaic (I've already got this with Quantizer for a good price) and 4 1U Buff Mult from Intellijel. Also I have ordered that stackable jacks. Do you think I will lack of them?
I still have place left for some 3U and 1U modules.
Im thinking about a distortion module... I have distortion pedal and compressor so it would be ok if I will use them instead. What do you think?
So, the biggest fear here is to miss something. For example Sound Sources. Do you think I have enough sound sources for the purpose I've already mentioned earlier? Do you think I have enough modulation? Any general suggestion and any opinion about any modules are highly appreciated! Just let me know what do you think if you have more experience than me (0).
OK. Now it seems like I've asked almost everything from the modular world :D But that's how it supposed to be I guess? Anyways, Thanks a lot to everyone who will come down to this and give me a reply.
Very nice track. And I love the motivation. I've been looking at stand alone noise/drone boxes like the Moffenzeef Stargazer, but I bought the Ongaku app instead and I love it! I didn't completely beat GAS, but I scratched that itch for a lot less $$$. :-) Thanks for sharing.
@Toccata and @JimHowell1970 Thanks so much for the detailed feedback and for thinking through some patching examples for this rig! As you say, finding out something doesn't work as intended after putting so much into this rig would be disappointing, to put it mildly. I hadn't even considered the possibility that I'd could reach a point of diminishing returns concerning the number of LFOs, attenuverters, etc. Planning out a system based on manuals and youtube videos is fun, but definitely misses the experiential aspect that would allow me to really get a feel for how the pieces interact with each other. I really appreciate y'all taking the time to guide us less experienced wigglers through this morass of modules.
You say in your layout description you have 'MIDI in the bottom left' but you have the ES-8 which is an Audio Interface, I think. You might be thinking of the FH-2 instead yes? That does MIDI to CV conversion so you can play from external USB devices and your DAW, etc.
Much appreciated, you're absolutely right. Thanks for catching a silly mistake!
You say in your layout description you have 'MIDI in the bottom left' but you have the ES-8 which is an Audio Interface, I think. You might be thinking of the FH-2 instead yes? That does MIDI to CV conversion so you can play from external USB devices and your DAW, etc. An interesting alternative to the Transmit 2 output is 4ms' Listen i/o. It's the same 6HP but has two mono inputs and stereo outputs, and both outputs can be used as headphone jacks. I play sounds out of my DAW, iPad, iPhone, acoustic instruments, (using the headphone output on my devices with a 3.5mm stereo-to-split-mono cable) through modular and then record them back into the DAW (with a stereo-3.5mm-to-dual-mono-6.5mm cable) using the line input on my audio interface. (I have it routed properly in my settings so there is no feedback issues). It works!
None of these need a buffered mult - a passive will be more than adequate
Don't worry, it's just an example, haha. He's already got two buffered multiples in the rack, I'm just patching his design. BUT... He listed his need to connect with 'external gear' and be 'a multi-voiced instrument'. So if he is pitch tracking from his DAW or keyboard split four ways by a passive multi into that Quad VCO and the voices sound out of tune—knowing full well he spent 13K on a rack and then cheaped out on passives just to save an extra $30 will make a dreadfully bitter jam to dance to.
That Music Modular Thing Four Big Knobs is a DIY project so you're gonna have to build it yourself or maybe find someone selling it already. If you don't have the soldering stuff you might want something else. I think you should check out Intellijel's Tetrapad as a potential substitute.
Switchy Glitchy-Icicle Sound:
— Start with a Boring Sound > Send it to your Buffered Multiple and split it into 2 copies.
— Sound 1 goes into Data Bender and into Veils 1-2.
— Sound 2 goes into Beads (Scorched Cassette mode) and into Veils 3-4.
— Split a single LFO and invert one copy in 321. Send each to Veils 1-2, 3-4. (Split the inverted copy for later)
... Now the sound will rotate between two crunchy variations, call it "Data Blending Grains of Beads". Mix down in Stmix or send to Morph 4 for deeper crossfading with a another source.
None of these need a buffered mult - a passive will be more than adequate
Note: If you don't have them already, you'll wanna get Rings, Beads, and Veils ASAP as they have stopped production. If memory serves, Perfect Circuit is the last place that has Veils and Beads for sale. Rings is gonna be tricky to find available in a store, so you might have to swap in a Rings clone instead.
-- Toccata
ALA appear to be making full size clones - I'd goo with those if you have to go for a clone - there are some reasonably priced used modules available too, if you look hard enough!
"some of the best base-level info to remember can be found in Jim's sigfile" @Lugia
Utility modules are the dull polish that makes the shiny modules actually shine!!!
You have quite a lot of LFO's. By my count, it's 62 separate sources. That includes not only the dedicated LFO modules but also things like Pam's, Data, Maths, Zadar, and the Cs-L (9 in LFO mode). That would be difficult to keep track of and tweak in large patches. And a lot of Polarizers, 17 or so I see, which may not all be so necessary when so many modules have built in attenuverters.
I'm really big into Buffered Multiples. I have 14 and it's not enough. I'll tell you why you should consider adding more using a simple idea from your system:
Switchy Glitchy-Icicle Sound:
— Start with a Boring Sound > Send it to your Buffered Multiple and split it into 2 copies.
— Sound 1 goes into Data Bender and into Veils 1-2.
— Sound 2 goes into Beads (Scorched Cassette mode) and into Veils 3-4.
— Split a single LFO and invert one copy in 321. Send each to Veils 1-2, 3-4. (Split the inverted copy for later)
... Now the sound will rotate between two crunchy variations, call it "Data Blending Grains of Beads". Mix down in Stmix or send to Morph 4 for deeper crossfading with a another source.
But you're entirely out of Multis and you've only made one sound! That idea expands out of your reach if you multiply Beads into not only Veils but another VCA and trigger the Freeze function using the extra copy of the inverted LFO that gated your Data Bender channel. Then you'd have a Data Bender Sound with Frozen Beads interspersed which could then be sent for further processing in FX Aid—all with only one LFO needed. But a typical LFO is too predictable; you could humanize your crossfading with Zadar as an LFO and modulate the shape of the envelope in realtime. You could control the volume curves of the crossfading using the Nin expander with your Joystick, but you'd need at least another 2 multiples to move that depth of modulation from a single controller. Or you could 'play' the crossfade with the knob control: Turn Left for the Data Bender, Right for Beads. As you can see, lots of potential for ambient, generative soundscape design when you can stretch Zadar envelopes over minutes with intricate reverb-soaked crossfading; or variations on full drum beats; or wavefolded melodic line madness, etc.
So it may be something to consider; keeping your most favourite LFO's, and multiplying those signals instead of reaching for 62 separate sources. You can only use so many time divisions before polyrhythmic modulation sounds sloppy. The expressive potential of modulation is in how the attenuverters interact with one another and that can be controlled very well with just a few sources multiplied subtly(!) across many inputs in complex routing schemes.
Make sense? So maybe a few more buffered multiples would be my advice.
Note: If you don't have them already, you'll wanna get Rings, Beads, and Veils ASAP as they have stopped production. If memory serves, Perfect Circuit is the last place that has Veils and Beads for sale. Rings is gonna be tricky to find available in a store, so you might have to swap in a Rings clone instead.
This setup is mounted on a nifty case that provides power, midi to cv in and a audio out. I'm satisfied so far with this setup even though I'd like to hear some suggestions about some module replacement. I'm thinking of 2hp Sine to be replace with a modular to line out for different mixing purposes for the pluck or other vcos. Comments are welcome.
We didnt do the deal, he was just late to grab the mutable rings and now he hit thumb down on my account, which was suposed to be pure, as my actions, which even when things got heaten by courier services was ALWAYS top notch for years.
Who do i contact or how can i make it work ? i make living out of eurorack cases this negative feedback means much to me :(
